Suggested fabrics: LYCRA Knit blends of all kinds, lightweight wool suiting, coating fabrics, silk/rayon velvet, linen, and textured rayon blends. Sky’s the limit :)

Great on all figure types. Remember that it is an oversized jacket so use a size smaller than your measurements for a closer fit. Use the Finished Garment Measurements chart to make sure there will be enough “fit” ease. Great paired with the Cuff Pant #945 and the Boatneck Shell #311.

Suggested design options:
Change the roll line to allow for more buttons.
Add to the sleeve length for cuffs.
Add to the length for a car coat, and above the knee for a winter jacket.
Belt loops and a belt in the silk/rayon velvet for a “smoking jacket".
Patch pockets and notch the shawl collar.
Use contrast fabrics for the front and back neck facing.
Silk georgette for the sleeves and pair it with silk evening pants using Wide Leg pant pattern.

Read more about the boyfriend jacket, see our photo gallery of boyfriend jacket styling ideas and a link to our Pinterest board for additional styling ideas for the Boyfriend Jacket.

Download the FREE pocket template for an oversized patch pocket for your Boyfriend Jacket.

The Boyfriend Jacket, #311, Christine Jonson Patterns

Reviewed by Kathy White, Carlsbad, CA

This lightweight comfortable knit jacket has a long, lean look. The shawl collar and broad shoulders are part of the illusion. Even though this is a casual jacket, the shoulders do require pads.

I made the pattern up in the suggested cotton/LYCRA knit available from Christine Jonson. The patterns recommends that the fabric not be prewashed, which bothered me, as the cotton will shrink later when it is washed. I asked Christine and she persuaded me that jackets are not normally washed. However, I couldn't resist prewashing the piece use for the shell top (included in the pattern). It came out of the dryer soft and sewed up beautifully, although the cut edges did curl slightly. I could see, though, that the sizing in the unwashed fabric made it better for a jacket.

Christine is a professional pattern maker with years of industry experience and it shows. Her attention to detail is remarkable. The instructions are clear and cover everything. She even notes that fusible interfacing will shrink and cuts the facing longer to accommodate this.

Since all seams are done with a serger, I wish that she had use 3/8" seam allowances as used in the industry. I find a 5/8" seam allowance on the serger harder to sew accurately. I got my wish after I tried on the jacket. It was huge. Falling between her sizes, I had gone with the larger. Because the fabric is soft and lightweight and the pattern oversized, the jacket needed to be narrower fitting. So I picked it all apart and recut the medium, using 3/8" seam allowances. It went together like a charm.

Unlike some of her more fitted garments in the pattern line, this jacket could easily be made out of other fabrics. In the Lycra knit, this would make a great jacket for traveling, as it packs small and wrinkles would simply smooth out.

• The Creative Machine